Solo Max-Level Newbie - Chapter 386: Gatekeeper of the Labyrinth (1)

Finally, that guy’s story came up.

“We sometimes call him the ‘Architect’ or ‘the First Administrator.’ He is everything, and everything is him.”

“Wow, that’s annoyingly vague. Are you saying ‘he’ refers to a group, or that this guy has a bunch of titles?”

“Well, we can’t really define it clearly. There’s an inherent ambiguity to the concept itself. I’d like to explain it in more detail, but as you can see… my hands and feet are halfway tied.”

The owl cast a glance at the sky.

Crackle… snap!

A blue spark flickered in the sky.

It must have reached the system’s limit already.

“One last thing to tell you: that guy has one troubling ability. He’s acquired the power to dismantle existing rules and reconstruct the tower according to his own rules.”

“…Are you saying something that absurd is possible?”

“Didn’t you witness him alter this labyrinth with your own eyes? Sure, he’s not yet at the level of fully controlling his powers, but it’s only a matter of time. Eventually, everything in the tower will collapse.”

The owl calmly presented the harsh reality.

“……”

The more time dragged on, the more dangerous it became.

It was definitely not something to be taken lightly.

If he had the power to destabilize the tower’s foundation, it was no wonder the administrators were afraid.

The warning New Moon Circular had given now finally made sense.

“How much time do we have left?”

“Considering it’s such a complex power, at least two years, I’d say. It could even take longer.”

Two years.

A shadow fell over Jinhyuk’s face.

Could he really climb to the top of the tower within two years?

Compared to the past, it was an incredibly short time.

No matter how many lucky encounters he monopolized or how many mistakes he avoided.

“…I have to become stronger by then. Even more than now.”

“Yes. You need to grow even more. And clearing this labyrinth is the first gate.”

“I understand what you mean.”

He’d gathered a lot of useful information.

Now he had a sense of what needed to be done…

Thanks to it, he had a bit of a grasp.

＊＊＊

A rapidly changing view.

Though strange places continued to unfold, there wasn’t a single moment to rest.

“Hah…hah…hah…”

Alice was gasping for breath repeatedly.

She had no idea how long she had been running.

For hours, she had been following close behind Hatoel’s trail.

The reins of pursuit were tightening further, and her stamina and mana were nearing depletion.

Acting separately from Jinhyuk also limited the mana she could draw from him, which had a significant impact.

‘I should have drained a good amount of blood before coming…’

She should have plunged her sharp fangs into that soft neck and vigorously replenished her mana.

“Why are you panting so much like a hunting dog that’s seen a piece of meat?”

Hatoel gave Alice a skeptical look.

“W-When did I ever! More importantly, where exactly is this entrance you keep talking about?”

“We’re almost there. Just a bit further.”

Hatoel, carefully scanning the surroundings, grabbed Alice by the wrist.

“Wait…!”

“What is it?”

“There’s a barrier right in front of us. Judging by the technique, it was set up less than ten minutes ago.”

“I don’t see anything, though.”

“It’s a trap visible only to angels. They used a special holy power to guard against outside intruders.”

If anyone crossed that line, it would summon battle angels on the spot.

In other words, their last escape route was effectively sealed.

“……”

Hatoel bit his lip in frustration.

“What’s causing Eden to be so tense like this? It used to be much more relaxed and comfortable.”

“There are internal issues.”

“That’s what I’m asking. What’s going on internally? Shouldn’t I know if things have gotten this bad?”

Alice pressed harder.

Hatoel let out a long sigh.

He didn’t want to expose their weaknesses, but as she said, it wasn’t something that could be hidden forever.

Alice had already stepped into this mess.

“A disciplinary committee was convened in Eden due to Kizakiel’s betrayal. Although they called it a meeting, it was essentially a judgment session.”

But…

“When the trial started, it turned out there were more angels supporting him than expected.”

For how long should Eden continue to protect harmony and balance, enduring the tyranny of evil forces?

Eden, of all beings, was the most rightful to claim ownership of the tower.

Kizakiel’s assertions gained more strength over time.

They moved away from respecting other factions’ positions to acting solely in Eden’s interests.

“That’s how Eden’s atmosphere completely changed.”

The moderate faction, which had once held sway, was shaken in an instant.

The archangels, including Michael and Gabriel, remained silent. Instead, the radicals, led by Uriel and Raphael, took action.

Although it hadn’t escalated to the tragedy of purging the opposing side, they began ruthlessly cutting out any non-Eden forces.

“…So that’s why it would be a problem if my kind and I were discovered here.”

“Correct. Gabriel would also be in a difficult position if this got out.”

Alice pondered over the situation.

If this was the situation… what would the Contractor do?

He would surely find the best path forward…

“Hah, I don’t know.”

Alice ruffled her hair.

Thinking and strategizing weren’t her style.

Acting on instinct was more in line with her nature.

“So, how about this? I’ll crush those guys, Uriel and Raphael or whatever they’re called, and let’s form a formal alliance. How about that?”

“Pardon?”

Hatoel’s eyes widened.

He couldn’t believe what this vampire was suggesting.

Could she mean…

“Are you suggesting… an internal war?”

“Yep. A faction shouldn’t have multiple heads. It creates division, makes it easy for betrayal.”

A piece of advice drawn from experience.

Whenever several strong individuals shared power equally, problems inevitably arose.

Even if they pretended not to notice, resentment and emotions would always build up.

“So, let’s get out of here and meet my Contractor. Eliminating troublesome foes is his specialty and hobby.”

“That’s nonsense… Wait, what are you doing?”

“Once the decision’s made, we need to get out of here. If we keep wasting time, we’ll run out of mana and end up like rats trapped in a jar.”

Alice cracked her knuckles.

She wasn’t planning to use the hidden passage; she intended to blow up the entire stronghold to escape.

“If you start rampaging here, it’ll trouble Gabriel! Didn’t you even listen to me…?”

“Sorry, but we’re already in the same boat. It’s all or nothing now.”

Hatoel screamed, but Alice had already begun summoning her mana.

[The unique ability ‘Blood Lord’ has been activated!]

Boom!

Red droplets of blood erupted in all directions.

Despite the restricted mana supply, a storm of unimaginable power surged.

Now, everyone in Eden would know.

That one of the heads of the vampire clan had entered their territory.

＊＊＊

“Hmm. I feel a chill for some reason.”

Jinhyuk rubbed his arms as he shivered.

It wasn’t cold, yet somehow a chill penetrated to his bones.

“Is there another new enemy?”

Chun Yoosung’s eyes sparkled.

Perhaps remembering yesterday’s pain, he gripped his sword with unusual seriousness.

“No, it’s not that. It’s more like… I feel something ominous might happen… but it’s probably nothing.”

“Tsk. Don’t get me worked up over nothing. I’m already on edge.”

It was the second day since they entered the labyrinth.

Thanks to high-level potions and the ‘Blessing of the Stars,’ Chun Yoosung had fully recovered his condition.

They had now reached a considerably deep area.

‘It should be appearing right around here… Ah!’

He found it!

Peculiar-looking statues stood between the valley’s cliffs.

“Are those the statues you’ve been talking about since yesterday?”

“Yes.”

Commonly called the ‘Guardians of Nature.’

To reach the boss room, they had to acquire the ‘Resistance Stones’ from there.

The path was filled with elemental magic so potent that ordinary stats or armor wouldn’t suffice.

‘Even the imperial knights turned back here.’

The firepower was so intense that not even the armor engraved with a high-level magic defense could withstand it.

No matter how formidable sword masters were, the amount of mana within them had its limits.

Jinhyuk and Chun Yoosung approached the statues.

At that very moment.

“New challengers, are they?”

“Hmm. Three of them…”

“Hehe. The numbers are just right.”

The three statues awakened.

‘Statue of Fire.’

‘Statue of Water.’

‘Statue of Wind.’

The statues, each adorned with a necklace made of resistance stones, snickered.

“We are the guardians of this labyrinth. I see you’re here for the Resistance Stones… Am I right?”

The Statue of Fire spoke on behalf of the statues.

“That’s right. I heard I have to pass your tests to get what you’re wearing around your necks.”

“Ho. Did you get that info from those knight guys?”

“Hehe! We don’t need unnecessary explanations.”

“Then, this will be simple. Complete the tasks we assign you. If you do, we’ll hand these over as promised.”

However.

“For each failed task, we’ll take one of your lives as payment. Do you still wish to proceed?”

“Suit yourself.”

Jinhyuk shrugged.

With that, the contract was sealed.

A sword with intricate engravings appeared in front of Jinhyuk and Chun Yoosung. As the Statue of Fire mentioned, if they failed, this sword with the effect of absolute judgment would pierce their hearts.

“Good. Let’s begin.”

The Statue of Fire unrolled a scroll.

[Test of Fire]

Content: To understand the purest and most beautiful essence of fire, one must master handling flames. If you can subjugate the prideful fire spirits, you will obtain the ‘Qualification of Fire.’ The size of the Resistance Stone awarded depends on the number of spirits you can subdue.

Fwoosh!

As the flames gathered, small lizards appeared.

Their flickering tongues.

Dozens of salamanders exuded hostility.

“Sssss!”

“Kyaaah!”

Though they were only lower-level spirits, their numbers were overwhelming.

Any average spirit master would turn tail and run.

“Should I just cut them all down?”

Chun Yoosung unsheathed his sword, Ryuhwa.

“Hold on. This isn’t something that can be solved with brute force.”

Overpowering them was certainly an option.

But doing so wouldn’t yield the true qualifications they needed.

Spirits subdued by force would inevitably harbor resentment.

‘Using Mantra Taming to subjugate them isn’t flawless, either.’

Manipulating friendliness was a solution, but one that fell short by 1%.

In the past, he had failed to obtain the highest-grade Resistance Stone here for the same reason.

So then…

He had no choice but to use a more certain method.

A smirk spread across Jinhyuk’s lips.

“Salamander. Come out for a moment.”

“You… you called, Master?”

A plump spirit emerged from the subspace inventory, hurrying toward them.